Hell no!

Chapter 29. Crying guys and knowing mothers (Will)

I woke up very early in the morning, even earlier than normally. I woke up in total and utter shock. I had dreamt, and it hadn't been good. Or well, it was a good dream, but the meaning of it wasn't good…

The dream was about hanging out with Nico, but that wasn't weird. It was wat happened towards the end of the dream that was weird, what shocked me awake. I had kissed Nico. But I'd woken up before I could see his reaction.

This is bad… I can't think about my friend like that!

So I quickly got dressed and watched some new episodes on my computer, just as a distraction. Then I got my backpack and made myself some breakfast and packed lunch. I kissed mom on the cheek before leaving for the bus. In the bus I sat down with Jason, who was talking to Percy about Piper. Apparently they'd talked all afternoon yesterday and this afternoon he'd go to her place. He was really pumped up. I wasn't really listening, but I got the joist.

At school we went to the gym; Basketball! After basketball we went to lunch, which was fine. We all sat together, and Hazel and Frank were sitting together, constantly blushing when the other said something. Percy was flirting with Annabeth (again) and she smacked him on the head playfully when he tried to put his arm around her. Lou and Cecil were sitting together as well, Lou kissing Cecil on the cheek, and Katie and the Stolls were talking. Piper and Jason were huddled in a corner, talking with hushed voices. So I sat down with Nico.

''Hi Solace.'' Nico said. Oh, he's so nice! Acting as if yesterday never happened.

''Hello Nico. How's your day going?''

''Well, I had History, which was somewhat interesting. Then a free period in the library.'' Nico said, sounding a little awkward at the last part.

''Well, I had basketball, and I loved it. I'm the captain, so I had to come up with the training.'' I start enthusiastically. ''It was an training to work on our weaker points. At the end we had a small competition, which Jason won. I'm wondering why he isn't gloating right now and telling everyone, especially Piper, how he'd won and how he'd beaten me, which he'd normally do.'' I finished thoughtfully.

Nico looked at me in surprise. ''Really, well, maybe he's just talking with Piper, she said she's going with him to her place,'' he said, before adding slowly, ''She was worrying about her father this morning, about what he'd do, what Jason'd do…''

''Her father?'' I asked just a little confused.

He smiled. Oh gods, he smiled! I like his smile, it is such a beautiful smile! Stop thinking about that, right now!

''Her father is very… overprotective… of her. If he even sees a guy with her, he goes on full interrogation on the guy. So she's probably preparing him for that…'' Nico said after that laugh and some thoughtful thinking.

We talked some more and then the bell rang. We went to English class, but because we already had our project finished Miss M. told us we could do something for ourselves. So we went to the back of the library, where nearly no one ever comes, and talked. About nothing in particular. About school. About movies. And about much more. Then I decided to ask about hanging out together again. Maybe ask to do it again. And maybe to ask about how he's doing.

''So speaking about movies, do you want to watch some more sometime?''

''Sure,'' Nico answered.

''Maybe Saturday?''

''Uhm…'' Nico hesitated. Why would he hesitate? ''Maybe in the afternoon?''

''Sure. How late? And at your place this time?'' I asked with a smile.

''Okay, sure.''

''Nico?'' I asked. ''Are you okay? I, I mean after yesterday…''

''Y-yeah, it's just, I'm sorta sad about it. I mean, I miss her. But she wouldn't want me to be sad. It's just… hard. It's still to… to soon. I'm still very, I don't know, shocked, I guess, and it's hard to believe she's no longer here for me. She can no longer give me advice, or give me a hug when I'm sad. She can't support me to….'' He couldn't talk, he was too upset.

''Oh, Nico. I understand,'' I said gently, while placing my hand gently on his shoulder, ''you miss her and you're still grieving. You need time, friends and patience. I, we, as your friends, can help. You need to remember the good times with her, all the times she's given you advice, all the times she held you when you were scared or sad. All the times you did something fun together, like going to the movies, or playing when you were little.''

He looked at me with sad eyes. Then, through teary eyes, he said, ''Y-yes, thank you, Will. For reminding me. You give good advice too and you're a good listener.''

I really wanted to give him a hug, but I wasn't sure if that would be okay with him. I didn't want to freak him out, or scare him. I wanted to just comfort him, to make him less sad. But I want to be his friend too, and I'm not sure what to do, so the best thing to do, is to ask him.

''Hey,'' I said as gentle as possible, ''do you need a hug?''

He looked at me with his big, sad eyes and then hesitantly nodded. So I engulfed him in a big hug, a warm, comforting, tight hug. He rested his head on my shoulder and I felt my shirt get warm and wet from his silent tears. After a couple of minutes we broke the hug. Nico had stopped crying and was looking better, less sad.

''Thanks Will, I needed that.'' Nico mumbled. Then he wiped his tears and tried to compose himself. We talked about movies for a while longer, and then the second bell rang, signalling that the day was over. So I went to my locker and Nico went to his. At my locker Jason and Piper were waiting with Percy.

''Yo, Will. I'm going to Piper's place. We're working on English and stuff, you okay with riding with this water loving idiot?''

''Hey!'' Percy said, sounding a little offended, and shoving Jason.

''Sure, I'm fine with that. I'll just read or something.''

''Okay, see you guys tomorrow!'' Jason said while waiving and walking away with Piper.

Me and Percy got our stuff out of our lockers and went to the bus. In the bus we talked for a couple of minutes, Percy asked about the English lesson. I told him a bare minimum of what happened. I just told him we talked about movies and searched for good books. Luckily I had found a new book, so I started reading it after he'd finished talking about Annabeth. The book was nice, I read a couple of chapters and then took out my phone to listen to music and play a game.

I got out of the bus a stop early, because it's near a flower shop. In the flower shop I got two bouquets, a yellow one for on Michael's grave and a purple one for on Kayla's grave. Then I walked two blocks to our street and walked to our house. Mom welcomed me with a freshly baked apple pie. We ate a slice together and drank a mug with hot chocolate. She told me I had picked beautiful flowers for on the graves and that we would go to the churchyard this evening after dinner with dad. I was glad she had a day off, I always enjoy it, because it means she bakes something and then we sit together and talk. Today she asked about school and then about if there were any cute guys, except for Nico.

''So how was school today, Will?''

''Basketball practise was great! Then lunch, which was okay, my lunch wasn't the best, but it was eatable. Then English and I went to the library, as we'd finished our project, the only ones in the entire class. I got a new book.'' I said, while showing her my new book. ''And Jason is going to Piper's place now, to work on English. Perce was talking about Annabeth a lot during the bus trip.''

''So have you met any cute guys? Or is it Nico?'' she asked suggestively. I just got red.

''Mom~'' I whined. ''I so don't want to talk with you about this. So please, don't ask about this?'' I pouted.

''Okay,'' she said with a knowing look in her eyes. She just knows I like Nico, it's some kind of motherly instinct or superpower or something. After that, we started making dinner. We made a big dinner today, together it's much more fun, and when dad finally came home, we were ready to eat dinner.

We ate and then after dinner we drove to the churchyard. It was all the way across town, because we'd lived there at the time of their deaths. The churchyard hasn't changed much. Of course there are new graves, but we didn't go look at them. No today. Maybe another day, when there is more time. We went to their graves and brushed away the sand on them and then put our flowers on the graves. We stayed there a couple of minutes, remembering the good times all together and then we left.

At home I went up to my room.

''Ugh, homework,'' I muttered as I walked into my room. I hadn't finished studying for all my subjects, so I needed to put in some work. I started with the languages. By the time I was finished, I was really tired, so I decided to shower. After the shower I checked my phone to see if I had any messages. A couple from Percy and Jason and one from Nico. Nico first!

Nico: Thanks for today, you were great! I really needed someone to talk to, someone who understands. And you were a great friend today!

Me: It wasn't a problem, I was glad to help. You needed a listening ear and I was glad to provide. :)

Nico: And what we talked about, Saturday, what movies do you want to watch?

Me: How about… a classic… how about the Lion King? Or… Aladdin!

Nico: Okay.

Me: Great, see you tomorrow, I'm going to bed!

Nico: This early?

Me: I'm an early bird, I rise with the sun… :D

Nico: Well, I'm a night owl, so we're kind of opposites…

Nico: But goodnight

Me: Thanks, you too!

I smiled. He'd told me goodnight. And we have plans for Saturday. Now let's check what the guys were talking about this time…

Jason: Guys, guys!

Percy: Yes?

Jason: Guess who Piper's dad is? Ur not gonna believe me

Percy: IDK, tell meeee

Jason: Tristan McLean! I met the freaking legendary actor!

Percy: OMG! He's Piper's /dad/?

Jason: Yes! I couldn't believe it, I freaked when I saw him.

Jason: But he was kinda intimidating, though

Percy: Y?

Jason: He kept asking questions about me and stuff… Pipes was right, he's overprotective of her…

Me: NO FREAKING WAY! Her dad, the Tristan McLean?

Me: And most fathers are very protective of their daughters, they are their little baby girls!

Percy: Hey Will still lives!

Me: I was studying, idiot!

Me: But now I'm gonna sleep, g'night!

After texting I put on my pyjama's and got into my bed, the new book next to my pillow. I read some more and then fell asleep.

AN: Sorry for the late update. I've been very busy lately.

I did, however, get some new inspiration for this story. I woke up in the middle of the night. Or well, it wasnt exactely the 'middle' of the night, but about half past 3 in the morning, but I woke up with a new idea. And then I couldn't go back to sleep.

I hope I will update more often, but I don't know for certain.

Anyway, hope you like the chapter, and I promise to update the next one later this week.

XXX Satan-with-grey-socks